On Sunday 20th May 2012 the NATO Defense College yet again entered a team for this year’s Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in Rome. This is becoming an annual NDC event that is always well supported by the College’s faculty, staff and Course Members. Susan G Komen died in 1980 after suffering from breast cancer and the Foundation in her name was set up in 1982 by her sister, Nancy with the aim of earlier detection, more hope for sufferers, more research and more survivors. One of the Foundations most well-known fund raising methods are the 5km Race for the Cure events that take place all over the world.
The NDC team, managed and cajoled by a group of volunteers, met at the starting point where the official team picture was taken. From there the runners and walkers in the team split into separate groups before joining the thousands of other participants who were all eagerly awaiting the starter’s orders. The 5 km run officially started and ended at the Terme di Caracalla and followed a route through the heart of ancient Rome, taking in the Circo Massimo, Piazza Venezia, the Fori Imperiali and the Colosseum. Rome has been among the hosting cities for the event for the last 13 years, and is now one of the most well supported around the world.
This year, the College entered a team with participants from 36 different countries, if we weren’t the biggest team in the event we were certainly the most international. The funds raised through the “Race for the Cure” will be used to promote early diagnosis of breast cancer, to help the psychological and physical wellbeing of women recovering from breast cancer, to ensure the updating of health workers, for the purchase of diagnostic equipment and for sharing projects with other associations. These projects already number over one hundred and fifty thanks to the generosity of participants and sponsors over the last ten years. The NDC is proud to have raised almost 2000 Euros in support of such an important cause and we thank all of you who contributed.
Quite apart from having worked for a good cause, we all enjoyed a wonderful sunny day together in the beautiful city of Rome, jogging past all the historical monuments and ancient archaeological sites.
NDC Public Affairs Office
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN